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NEW FOR TUESDAY: OC Police Warn Of Counterfeit Dollars

OCEAN CITY — The Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) today is warning residents, business owners and employees to be on the lookout for counterfeit currency being circulated in the resort.

Since the beginning of May, the OCPD has received roughly 12 reports of counterfeit bills being passed to local businesses. Ocean City Police are encouraging citizens to close examine the currency they receive in transactions and be aware of the security features on the bills.

The main security features on the bills include shifting inks on the number security threads, which display the denomination of the currency imbedded in the bill, and the watermark of the main image on the face of the bill located on the right side of the note.

The OCPD is also offering other tips to detect suspicious or counterfeit currency. For example, on a genuine bill, the portrait appears lifelike and stands out distinctly from the background. On the fake bills, the portrait is usually lifeless and flat and details merge into the background, which is often too dark or mottled.

On the genuine bills, the saw tooth points on the Federal Reserve and Treasury seals are clear, distinct and sharp. The counterfeit bills may have uneven, blunt or broke saw tooth points. The serial numbers on real currency have a distinctive style and are evenly spaced and the numbers are printed in the same ink color as the Treasury seal. On the counterfeit bills, the serial numbers may differ in color or shade of ink from the Treasury seal and the numbers may not be uniformly spaced or aligned.

OCPD are asking residents and businesses to contact the department if suspicious currency is located. In addition, the OCPD is reminding businesses and community groups that a crime prevention officer is available to conduct counterfeit awareness presentations upon appointment through the Public Affairs Office. For further information on detecting counterfeit currency, citizens are encouraged to visit the U.S. Secret Service website at www.secretservice.gov.